How to Conquer Ulysses in Fallout: New Vegas’ Lonesome Road

So, you’re staring down the barrel of a showdown with Ulysses in Fallout: New Vegas’ Lonesome Road DLC? This enigmatic character is a formidable opponent, both in combat and ideology. Beating him requires a multifaceted approach – strategic combat tactics, a deep understanding of his motivations, and, potentially, a silver tongue.

The simplest answer is overwhelming force, but that’s not always the most satisfying. You can either kill Ulysses in a straight-up fight, using superior firepower and tactics, or you can persuade him to stand down using your speech skills. Which path you choose depends on your character build, your preferred playstyle, and your stance on the philosophical questions he poses. Regardless of your decision, be prepared for a tough fight with his Eyebot companions and the dangers of The Divide.

Here’s a breakdown of how to achieve victory, one way or another:

Mastering the Battlefield: Combat Strategies Against Ulysses

If diplomacy fails, prepare for war. Ulysses is no pushover, and he’ll use every advantage he can.

• Gear Up: Lonesome Road is a late-game DLC, so you should be packing some serious heat. High-damage weapons like the Anti-Material Rifle (with explosive rounds, as the original article suggests), the Plasma Caster, or even a fully-modded Riot Shotgun are excellent choices. Don’t forget reliable armor, such as Remnants Power Armor or Elite Riot Gear.
• Exploit Weaknesses: Ulysses, like most human opponents, is vulnerable to headshots. Aim for critical hits whenever possible. Furthermore, he relies on his Eyebots for support. Prioritizing them will reduce his effectiveness and give you breathing room.
• Environmental Awareness: The final battle takes place in a missile silo. Use the environment to your advantage. Take cover behind pillars, flank Ulysses by utilizing the platforms, and watch out for radiation hazards.
• Companion Support: Bring a strong companion like Boone or Veronica to soak up damage and provide additional firepower. Make sure they are equipped with the best gear you can give them. Remember that ED-E will permanently leave you if you re-enter The Divide again after the DLC.
• Employ Chems: Don’t be afraid to use chems to boost your combat prowess. Psycho increases damage output, Med-X reduces incoming damage, and Turbo provides a temporary speed boost.
• Disable Eyebots: As mentioned in the source article, find and use the Eyebot control consoles on either side of the room. Shut them down entirely for an easier fight, or, alternatively, reprogram them to fight for you. The latter might be harder if your Science skill is low.

The Art of Persuasion: Talking Ulysses Down

If you prefer brains over brawn, you can convince Ulysses to abandon his vendetta. This requires a high Speech skill (100, or 90 if you have high reputation with the NCR, Legion, or the Strip).

• Understand His Motivations: Ulysses isn’t just a generic villain. He’s driven by a complex mix of grief, anger, and a desire to reshape the wasteland. Listen carefully to his arguments and try to understand his perspective.
• Choose the Right Dialogue Options: During the final confrontation, several dialogue options will be prefaced with [Faction], such as [NCR], [Legion], or [Independent Vegas]. Selecting these options allows you to justify your choices and explain why you support the faction you’ve chosen.
• Appeal to His Ideals: Ulysses believes in the power of symbols and the importance of shaping the future. Try to show him that your actions, while perhaps misguided in the past, are ultimately aimed at creating a better world.
• Avoid Provocation: Don’t insult or belittle Ulysses. This will only harden his resolve and make him more likely to fight. Remain calm and respectful, even when he’s being confrontational.
• The Speech Check: The ultimate test is the Speech check. If you pass it, Ulysses will stand down and even help you fight off the incoming Marked Men. Even if you fail the Speech check, you can still defeat him in combat, but you will miss the unique opportunity to avoid a needless fight and potentially recruit him as an ally for a short time.

FAQs: Digging Deeper into Ulysses and Lonesome Road

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of dealing with Ulysses and the Lonesome Road DLC:

1. Is it possible to not kill Ulysses? Yes, you can convince Ulysses to stand down by passing a Speech check of 100 (or 90 with a high reputation).
2. Can you let Ulysses live? Absolutely. If you successfully persuade him, he will survive and even help you against the Marked Men.
3. What happens if I kill Ulysses? You miss the opportunity to recruit him temporarily, and you can loot his unique equipment from his corpse. However, killing him doesn’t significantly affect the ending of the game, besides altering one of the ending slides.
4. How do you disable Ulysses’ Eyebots? Locate the Eyebot control consoles at either end of the missile silo and use them to shut down or reprogram the bots.
5. What does Ulysses want in Fallout: New Vegas? He wants to reshape the wasteland and cast aside old symbols, believing the Courier destroyed his home and triggered this quest.
6. Is there a way to save Ulysses completely? Yes, by passing the Speech check. He joins you against the Marked Men. After that, he disappears from the game world.
7. Why does Ulysses want to go on adventures again after the DLC ends? The information in the provided text suggests that Ulysses decides he cannot rest and wants to travel beyond after your encounter.
8. How do you ally with Ulysses permanently? Ulysses can only be a temporary ally in Lonesome Road. He is not intended to be a permanent companion.
9. How did the Courier survive the initial gunshot wound? According to the Think Tank in the Old World Blues DLC, the brain damage from the initial gunshot wound is the reason he remained in control without a brain.
10. What happens to ED-E after Lonesome Road? If you re-enter the Divide, you will permanently lose ED-E as a companion, though you will still retain the “Enhanced Sensors” perk.
11. What happens if you nuke the Legion or NCR? Nuking the Legion weakens them, giving the NCR an advantage. Nuking the NCR creates a divide between them and Vegas.
12. Does Lonesome Road end the game? No, it is a DLC and doesn’t end the main story of New Vegas.
13. Is Ulysses in the Legion originally? He was a courier and former Frumentarii of Caesar’s Legion.
14. Why does Ulysses hate the Courier? He blames the Courier for bringing the package that triggered the destruction of the Divide.
15. Can Ulysses be a permanent companion in Fallout: New Vegas? Not without mods. In the base game, he is only a temporary ally.

The Philosophical Underpinnings

Beyond the combat and dialogue options, Ulysses represents a key theme in Fallout: New Vegas: the struggle between progress and tradition. He’s a complex character who embodies the dangers of clinging to the past while simultaneously warning against the pitfalls of unchecked progress. Engaging with his arguments and choosing a side (or forging your own path) is what makes Lonesome Road such a compelling and thought-provoking experience. As you explore these themes, consider how games can contribute to critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as discussed by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Ultimately, “beating” Ulysses is about more than just winning a fight or passing a speech check. It’s about understanding his perspective, making meaningful choices, and shaping the future of the Mojave Wasteland. So, choose wisely, Courier. Your decisions will have far-reaching consequences.